Folks, this will be one of my longer blog entries--so bear with me, OK?

I used to (and still hope to do so in the future) work in the security field. I will not tell you my former company's name, but know that it featured three red balls on a black background as it's logo.

My main focus was "observe-and-report"-type unarmed security. For nearly two years, I patrolled (or stood stationary guard posts) the client's store-or-factory, noting anything unusual, and calling in to my supervisor if neccessary.

If a bad actor was making off with merchandise (or was ripping off company property), I had to get in touch with the store-or-site manager AND HQ before busting said perp...then we called the police agency in the area to deal with the suspect.

The requirements for such work? Nothing like "Paul Blount--Mall Cop" or "Observe And Report"--to name two of the legion of movies that have as much to do with how things really work as a wild boar has in a petting zoo.

You first apply on-site, presenting your driver's license and Ca. Guard Registration Card (if you have a valid one with you) beforehand. The application includes a "Snellen" screening test...also given by retailers such as Walmart and Target to it's applicants.

You then go through an interview. It's not an easy one, but it's thorough. If the HR director likes what he-or-she sees, you are then scheduled for a drug test (some do them on-site). If you do not have a Guard Card, you will (depending on the company) be put through a P.C. 852 (Powers Of Arrest) course, your fingerprints Life-Scanned to Sacramento to run through the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and CCIC (California's version of NCIC) databases, and your drug screen results reviewed.

If you do (or have done) the following:

1.) Positive Drug Screen
2) Felony Criminal record in ANY State or Federal Jurisdiction
(this includes the US MILITARY)
3) Lying on your application.
4) Any spousal abuse convictions
5) Failing the Snellen Screen
6)Failing the P.C. 852 Course
7)On Parole/Probation for ANY crime---

you will not be employed, and be told never to darken that company's door ever again.

The "Powers To Arrest" class is a real letdown for any gung-ho Barney Fife/Foxy Funderburke (the main villain from the book "Chiefs" by Stuart Woods) looking to gain glory. You see, a security officer's powers to arrest are no more than that of your average citizen!

Also, during the "Powers To Arrest'" class, you learn how private security works, how to deal with threats, and other subjects your company thinks you need to know. Tests are open book (at some companies).

Once you pass P.C. 852 (unpaid time), then you wait for the "Green-Golden Ticket"--your DCA-BSIS California Guard Registration card. Once you recieve that in the mail (takes up to six weeks), then you go back to the office to get your uniform, badge, Employee Handbook...and your first assignment.

The cost for your training, LifeScan clearance, and first guard-card might seem steep at first. But, the company-in-question often spreads out the cost over your first three paychecks. Your renewal fee (every three years) is $35...and if you remember to make that triannual payment, the card is your's for life!

That's just for your "unarmed" security officers (calling us guards isn't too bright). Those who carry a sidearm on-duty have to pass stricter clearance, including a psych exam. Training is much more rigorous, and the officer-in-question often buys their own sidearm and ammo.

They also have to range-qualify every year with that weapon to keep both their permits and their jobs. They are only allowed to draw-and-fire their weapons when faced with mortal danger (some yutz coming at them with a lethal weapon).
If that rule is not followed...the job, gun, and permit are gone forever! Plus, depending on the District Attorney's ruling, they may face time in State Prison.

Now that you know the background...here's why I wrote tonight's entry.
About a week ago, a NCTD Transit Officer was involved in a shooting at Vista Transit Center. The shooting has not only been excoriated in the local press, but has sparked a noisy protest outside of VTC (in the Smoking Station across the street).
The protestors are calling for the NCTD cops to no longer be allowed to carry sidearms while on duty. Some of these kids (and they are teen-or-early twentysomethings) also are circulating a petition to ban any security officer in California from carrying a sidearm on-duty.

One of them asked me to sign his petition while I was riding the Sprinter from Oceanside to Vista on Wed. I told him I had no interest in his petition, and to "be gone."
Now that I know what his petition was about...I was thankful I kept a civil tone, tempted though I was to show him a new-and-pain filled way to carry his petition. Would have been a waste of energy.

These kids may have been friends of the shooting victim (who died in the hospital). Their anger is justified...but their actions, sadly, are not.

The Heritage Security officer-in-question is being investigated by both the San Diego D.A.'s office and his parent company. If it comes off as a "righteous shoot"? Though he will be returned to the job, he won't be returned to his current post.
If the shooting was bogus? Then all hell will be unleashed on the officer, both by his company and the State of California. His job, insurance, Guard Card with firearms endorsement, and sidearm are gone forever. His freedom...and his money and property...might end up being forfeit.

However, we need not punish all "sidearm-rated" security officers for the indescretions of one...if he is, indeed, guilty of the crimes the public wants him to be guilty of.Frankly, the lads-and-lasses protesting-and petitioning probably never pulled a shift at a post, be it unarmed-or-armed.

My suggestion to them is not to circulate a bogus petition that will never become law. Instead, why not "ask the folks who own one"
(Ca. Guard Registration with or w/o firearms endorsement) about what we do for a living.
Do it in a respectful way, and oh, the tales we can lay on you folks. After listening to a few of my brother-and-sister officers, you might learn that it's not like Paul Blart's mall. Not at all.

You will also learn (if you so choose) that we are not "Rent-A-Pigs" or "Wannabe Cops." Our jobs are far different...but just as potentially deadly.
That is why it is hard to get a Guard Card in the first place. Wannabes and Barney Fifes need never apply--we will never take them in the first place! We take good folks...and training (both basic and ongoing) makes them better.

To qoute a former colleague of mine regarding those who excoriate those in private security:
"If you've never pulled a post--don't tell us how to do our jobs!"

Put down your signs, and open your ears-and-mind!
You might be surprised!

Comments

Well, I gotta say, I've met a number of private security people and know some of them very well. Most of them were okay, but a few were a little strange, and one was more than a little strange. He was all Rambo-cut, had one of those high-and-tight haircuts, would dress in these wierd half cop half military outfits, or sometimes all in black with black gloves and the fingers cut off, and a belt with all kinds of gear. I remember we were at a community meeting with police and when this guy left, people kind of snickered and one of the cops said, that guys got more equipment on him than we do.

So obviously some people take their security jobs waaaaay too seriously.

I also gotta say that I've seen those transit securitys in action. They go way out of line. I mean, macing people, beating them, putting women off the trolley in dark bad areas of town in the middle of the night, over what, a two dollar fee???

I wish them people with the petitions well. We need security on the trolleys. We don't need idiots in uniforms.

Ah, fish, good to see you are up-and-about (normally, I'm out cold until 9am).

There are those who forget that not only is John Rambo a fictional character, but also that the Rambo-bees would only merit the contempt of the real Rambo.

That is why I also referenced the main villain from Stuart Woods's masterpiece "CHIEFS"--Foxy Funderburke--as the prototypical wannabe cop/security officer. Read the book, and you'll get my point (check your local used book emporium or library used book store for a copy--it's worth every penny).

And as for some of the more violent actions:
A transit cop, like any other security officer, needs to use their head before using force. If they do not, it is the responsibility of the complaintant to contact MTS or NCTD for further action.

On the Sprinter, for example, if a passenger is cuffed, they have to be taken off at the next stop...and the SD Sheriff's Dept (or OPD or EPD, depending on where the detention was made), has to be notified. It is the decision of the responding law-enforcent officer on whether to transport the detainee to the county jail in Vista, or not.
Also, the fare enforcement officers on the Sprinter are sworn peace officers (the transit patrol told me of this).

As a side-note: I wish the kids well on their enterprise. They are using the First Amendment the right way. However, that does not exempt them from commentary, be it good or bad.

Nothing. I've said what I had to say. The incidents I wrote about were things I have witnessed myself. And I know of a lot more from people who've told me what they've seen.

As I said, we need security on the trolleys. There is some bad stuff going on in and around those red cars. What we don't need are uniformed terrorists who have lost all perspective. Why are people being beaten, maced, shot, over a two dollar fare?

Writing these blogs is more than an exercise is English composition-cum-flapping your beak via a computer keyboard. They are also a great learning experience for both those who write the blog, and those who read-and-comment on the entry-in-question.

That's why I look forwards to any comments I get regarding each entry. Good or ill, they all are a learning experience!

When you or any one else (i.e.) a Security Guard arrests you for a crime..THEN YOU DONT RESIST....you then wait for the police to arrive and tell them what happened. If you resist then YOU have escalated the situation. In the incident with Anthony everyone there knew he was under arrest for punching Sam in the face. That is battery in the second degree. Did you expect the Transit Officer to just let him walk away? As a citizen or Security Guard you have the choice and the LAW provides that to you, to make that LAWFUL ARREST(i.e. powers of arrest). You cant change this fact just cause you dont agree with it. While Sam T. was effecting that arrest HE WAS attacked by Anthony who tried to permanently damage, remove, destroy his eye. What would you do if someone did this to you and would not stop until you lost that eye. Is that exceptable for you? Oviously Sam T. had no choice but STOP Anthony from causing great bodily injury. And once again, He did just that....STOPPED him.